Chobe National Park Botswana, Travel tips for best wildlife watching The boat cruises provide the best way to view the Chobe hippos up close. The wildlife is abundant in this area. Large pods of hippos are common in the river. This and the fact that the Victoria Falls is only about 100 kilometers away means that this area do attract a lot of human traffic and the river can get crowded with people. Savute is the other major center of wildlife activity in the park It will take you about a day from the Chobe river to get to Savute. Many people think Savute is very similar to the Serengeti Plains because of similar scenery and wildlife migration patterns. In 2010 this water reached the Savute marsh, in the process creating a large water source for game in Southern Chobe. You will find your wildlife watching experience here totally different from the Chobe riverfront. The Savute channel flowed for the first time in about 25 years in 2008. This area has many natural pans and artificial waterholes that offer superb viewing opportunities. The water attracts elephant bachelor herds and lone bulls, most of who are placid and very tolerant of vehicles.

Take note that the sandy roads of the Savute are not always easy to negotiate in summer. You should check this with the camp management ahead of time before you set out for the day. Because of heavy rains these roads can also become become soaked and difficult to drive on. This sometimes lead to road closures between December and March. A pride of lions in the Botswana Savute area have started to specialize in preying on elephants While you would think that elephants don’t have natural enemies because of their size, somebody forgot to tell the Savute lions. Some Chobe lions hunt the elephants at night. These lions hunt the elephants at night, when the poor night vision of the elephants puts them at a major disadvantage. It is believed that the Savute lions have learnt over time to kill bigger prey by virtue of their large pride size. Lions can at times tackle Cape buffalos weighing up to 1000 kg or hippos who weigh in at between 1500 and 3500 kg. Researchers believe that, after learning to successfully kill hippos, the Savute lions became confident enough to begin regular predation on juvenile elephants. Lions can at times tackle Cape buffalos weighing up to 1000 kg.

They are currently successfully hunting adult elephants and estimates indicate that they kill on average one elephant every three days. This is the part of the year when the zebras and other plains game have migrated out of the lion territory. In the Linyanti area of Botswana there is also a pride that specializes in hunting hippo. The question researchers are trying to answer is whether this behavior is learned or acquired from memories from a previous experience. The Ngwezumba region provides some escape from the crowds The Chobe region in the park can get very crowded, so if you are looking for a more quite spot away from the crowds you should explore the Ngwezumba region. It is located between Savute and Chobe and has undergone very little development. The big commercial tour operators mostly ignore this area. The two camp sites of Nogatsaa and Tchinga allows you to watch excellent sightings of elephants, buffaloes and lions literally meters from your tent. A very different habitat can be seen at Linyanti The Linyanti River forms a natural border between Namibia and Botswana. The river course makes a sharp turn from southeast to northeast.

In the benda swamp has formed on the Namibian side that is very similar in appearance to the Okavango Delta. On the southern banks of the Linyanti River the marsh subsides into lagoons and steadily flowing rivers with riverine forests. Papyrus reeds, jackal berry and sausage trees leading to open savanna grasslands sets the scene for an area that is particularly rich in birdlife. This is a prime bird watching area, with 450 species present during the rainy season. The birdlife is diverse, with plenty opportunities to see- pelicans, hornbills and African skimmers. Large colonies of carmine bee-eaters build their nests in the sandy banks of the Chobe river. The wildlife here is plentiful, especially in the late dry winter months of September to October. This is when big concentrations of elephant and buffaloes return from Savute to congregate along the river. Thousands of Burchells zebra spend the winter in the Linyanti before heading south to the Savuti in November in expectation of summer rains. This area is also rich in smaller carnivores like servals and Selous mongooses.

You can expect to see sable and roan antelopes here while red lechwe antelope roam the wetlands. Aside from the many lions you also have a reasonable chance of seeing leopards, cheetahs, African wild dogs and hyenas. Reviews of Chobe National Park (133 user reviews) Visited: July 2016 - Reviewed: 1 Oct 2016 Chobe - one of Africa's crown jewels Africa is in my blood - my wife spent 15 years living and working around the continent - and I became hooked on it too. If I had to select one National Park out of the many I've enjoyed, Chobe would be my first choice. Why? It offers a variety of wildlife and a combination of both land and river trips to enjoy this wildlife. Add to this, the local people are both passionate and knowledgeable. Comfortable accommodation is on offer at the Kasane end of Chobe and only a few minutes drive to the park. OK the roads are poor but it is said that this is intentional to reduce the number of "ordinary vehicles" lured to the park. We use the provided safari vehicles and guides.

Visited: August 2015 - Reviewed: 1 Aug 2016 Amazing sites and sounds of the African bush. Having lived in Botswana about 10years ago, I decided to embark on a self driven safari. The Chobe National Park has a lot of wildlife, as such one does not waist time looking for them. The weather was perfect because in August the temperature is mild with no rain. August is considered one of the best times to visit Chobe National Park and neighbouring attractions such as Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and the Okavango Delta. Accommodation at Chobe Safari Lodge was excellent and so was the sunset cruise along the Chobe River. My highlights included seeing some of the largest African elephants on earth crossing the Chobe River; the majestic Southern Hornbill; a Hyena walking on the side of the road looking for animal carcasses and; lastly seeing Lions and the African Spotted Dogs on the hunt. In my opinion visiting the Chobe National Park and surrounding attractions is a vacation of a lifetime and I would recommend it to all nature lovers like myself.

Visited: March 2016 - Reviewed: 13 Jul 2016 Well managed but limited game in March I enjoyed my drive through the park with our hired guide. We saw many impala, hippos, elephants, baboons, etc. I am not a "birder" so I cannot intelligently comment on the birding, but I did see and enjoy many interesting and unusual birds like the lilac-breasted roller. Unfortunately the lions, zebras and giraffes were difficult to find and it was pretty quiet overall. I understand that this was mainly due to the time of year. I personally enjoyed a boat cruise on the Chobe River that went by the park, more than the game drive, due to the beautiful scenery. I was grateful there didn't seem to be self-drive tourists and everyone on the road was very respectful.

Chobe National Park - Botswana Accommodation & Tours CHOBE NATIONAL PARK DISCOVER THE WILD IN STYLE 13 DAY BOTSWANA LUXURY LODGE SAFARI Perfect for travelers seeking an all in one wildlife, adventure and comfort experience FIND OUT MORE AFRICAN SUMMER IN THE WILD 10 DAY BOTSWANA SUMMER SAFARI Visit some of the most exquisite wildlife regions in the Botswana FIND OUT MORE VALUE FOR MONEY - Includes all accommodation, meals, activities and a private guide FIND OUT MORE 10 DAY ROMANTIC BOTSWANA SAFARI Visit the most exclusive and remote wilderness destinations in Botswana and Zambia FIND OUT MORE 10 DAY WILDERNESS FLYING SAFARI A wilderness journey in a fully inclusive flying safari FIND OUT MORE EXPLORE CHOBE NATIONAL PARK The gateway to Chobe is Kasane. A small town sandwiched between the Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibian borders and the Chobe National Park. Accommodation varies from a normal campsite to a private lodge in private concessions. Camping in Chobe is a true wilderness experience. The public campsites offer ablutions. All camps are unfenced and open to wildlife roaming free through your camp.

WE OFFER A VARIETY OF SERVICES VIEW AND SEARCH ALL OUR ACCOMMODATION HERE CHOBE SAFARI TOURS Chobe Bush Lodge From: BWP713 Chobe Bush Lodge is the newly opened sister lodge to Chobe Safari Lodge. Located next door to Chobe Safari Lodge Chobe Bush Lodge offers modern rooms Chobe Safari Lodge From: BWP633 Chobe Safari lodge borders on the Chobe National Park in Kasane town. The best value for money lodge in Kasane with the best view of the Chobe River Kwalape Safari Lodge From: BWP220 Kwalape Safari lodge is close to the entrance of the Chobe National Park near to Kasane. Kwalape Safari Lodge offers reasonably priced accommodation Muchenje Campsite From: BWP120 Muchenje Campsite and Self catering cottages is located 7.2 km from the Ngoma Gate to the Chobe National Park and about 60 km from Kasane. Pangolin Voyager From: USD275 The Pangolin Voyager Houseboat operates within the Chobe National Park. Enjoy game viewing from the comfort of the sun deck while watching the sunset.

Thebe Lodge From: BWP553 Thebe lodge is a family owned lodge in Kasane. Situated along the banks of the Chobe River. Thebe lodge offers a good value for money campsite and lodge. VIEW AND SEARCH ALL OUR ACCOMMODATION IN AND AROUND THE PARK HERE RECOMMENDED CHOBE TOURS 3 Day Chobe Camping Safari USD404 for 3 Days Chobe Camping safari is the perfect escape into the wild. Experience the wildlife of Chobe along with spectacular sunsest and game drives. 3 Day Chobe Photographic Safari USD1895 for 5 Days 3 Day Chobe Photographic safari. Experience the best that Chobe National Park has to offer. Touch up on your Photographic skills. Capture the moment. Botswana Luxury Lodge Safari USD8900 for 13 Days The best of Botswana luxury lodge safari. Exclusive comfort within the wilderness of Botswana. Fly in safari holiday package. Botswana Summer Safari USD7100 for 11 Days Botswana summer safari is rated one of the best rated safari experiences in Botswana. We can recommend this package for the discerning travellers.

Chobe Boat Cruises USD40 for 1-3 Hours Chobe Boat Cruises offer some of the best sunset and morning views of the Chobe River and Chobe Flood plains. Book your trip in advance. Botswana safari | Chobe National Park You are at: Homepage > Botswana > Chobe National Park Chobe National Park Chobe National Park is the second biggest in the country and has some of the best concentration of wildlife throughout the whole of Africa! The park has a variety of contrasts when it comes to wildlife experiences. With Chobe River boarding the park to the north and the Linyanti Marsh to the west it is easy to see why. There is extremely diverse wildlife in the park due to a variety of vegetation types with the Linyanti marshes; adjacent to the Linyanti River. This area consists of riverine and open woodland areas. You will find large numbers of lions, leopard, antelope, hippo, packs of wild dog and hundreds of elephant. Then you have the landscape of the Savuti, being compared to a desert. With extensive savannahs, during the dry seasons you have a good chance of seeing warthogs, kudus, impalas, zebras and wildebeest.

Not missing the numerous amounts of elephant playing amongst one another. Enjoy the game viewing on the lush green grass of the Chobe floodplains with families of buffalo and elephant densely populating the land. It isn't just the scenery that is diverse - there are also many wildlife species to be seen here. Due to the water you find many animals such as hippos, crocodiles, fish species and other reptiles. Yet on land buffalo, giraffe, eland, elephants and zebra are plenty. There is a great population of predators here, especially in the Savuti area such as cheetah, hyena, leopard and lion. If you are interested in birds, you will have over 450 species to learn about and spot, with your guides knowing about each and every one of them. If you take a trip to the Chobe River in the dry season you will see huge herds of buffalo and elephant. If you decide to travel in the rainy season you will be amazed to see thousands of migrating zebra with hungry predators chasing them from all angles creating an exciting experience. Contact us now to start planning your luxury Botswana safari .

The Garden Lodge | Chobe National Park | Audley Travel Our rating: Medium The Garden Guest Lodge is a small guest house just outside of the main Kasane town and is a simple, friendly property set back from the banks of the Chobe River. Through the main entrance you pass a small water fountain in a cobbled courtyard before entering the main hall area with elevated thatched roof. There is a mezzanine level above where you find the bar and sofas overlooking the gardens which frequently hosts animal visitors to this homely establishment. The owners have pet dogs and cats, which add to the homely atmosphere. Dinners are eaten together here giving the Garden Lodge more of a traditional safari atmosphere and the chance to swap stories over the meal. There are eight rooms in total on the property, three upstairs, four downstairs and a separate chalet at the side of the house. All are en-suite with showers and have subtle African ethnic décor with neutral colours and patterned bed linen. The three upstairs rooms each have an outdoor balcony as well as an open mezzanine level inside with two twin beds so they are ideal for a family with small children. Downstairs the three rooms each have a small covered patio at the entrance.

The separate room is not much more spacious but can be slightly more private as it is away from the main building. At the side of the house is a swimming pool with comfortable furniture and high walls. Two activities a day are possible and the choices range from boat trips, game drives into the Chobe National Park, fishing and mokoro rides to Namibian villages. It is also possible to arrange day trips to the Victoria Falls. Speak to someone who's been there Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Botswana specialists at 1-855-838-0530 Chobe National Park Chobe National Park Chobe National Park Trips The most visited of Botswana’s big game territories, Chobe National Park lies on the river of the same name. Its sapphire blue waters snake through the park to the ‘four corners’ – the name given to where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia meet. The river provides a water source and daily bath for a diverse array of wildlife and the area is home to about every species of African mammal you can think of. But it is particularly famous for elephants; lots of elephants.

Established in 1968, just a few years after Botswana became independent, Chobe National Park sweeps over some 12,000 square kms of floodplains, swamps and woodland. The river demarks its northern boundary, a magnet for elephants and buffaloes in the rain-less winter months. The riverfront is one of the four distinct areas in the park, along with the Ngwezumba pans and Linyanti and Savuté Marshes. When the marshes contain water, the birdlife is breathtaking, whilst the Ngwezumba pans is the least visited area of the park – providing untouched wilderness and an unparalleled connection with nature. February marks the start of the wet season when the river floods and small islands appear in the marshes – beacons for animals in search of fresher grazing. Whilst Chobe can be seen all year round from a 4x4, this is the best time to take a river cruise, where you can view crocodiles, hippos and dozens of fantastically colourful bird species in a unique way.

The Ngwezumba pans also attract plenty of wildlife in the wet season, whilst the Savuté Marshes are best known for lions, cheetahs and hyenas. Game viewing can be fantastic in the Linyanti in the dry winter months and hunting permits can be sought here. Bird watching all over the Chobe is superb with ibis, geese, kingfishers, storks and eagles regularly filling the skies. The main base camp at Chobe is Kasane, an interesting raggletaggle township that has a good range of facilities and where man and beast meet. There are no fences marking the boundaries of the park, so animals regularly wander on in. In fact you may see your first elephant by check-in. Trips visiting Chobe National Park Inspired Destination | Chobe National Park Chobe National Park Botswana Introducing Chobe National Park Chobe National Park makes a must-visit while you're on a trip to Botswana. A host of amazing safari and wildlife in addition to natural marvel, this park is located in the city of Kasane. Here you would amaze your eyes with the simplicity of Chobe River and the Chobe Floodplains however the start of the show is the wildlife.

The wildlife is concentrated throughout the dry season and having more than 5000 elephants on these floodplains isn't an unusual thing in Botswana. The glimpse of the deep and astounding river along with the sandy roads is always awe-inspiring. The riverfront attracts the visitors for its hordes of elephants and Buffalo, while driving beside the river, you would see more than fifteen different types of animals on game drive. These kinds include monkeys, bushbucks, waterbuck, impala, warthog, hyena, and the leopard. A river cruise can be one of the exciting options to explore the park as its best. The area's water life such as hippo, crocodiles, and various birds will give a sooth spectacle to your eyes. The Chobe National Park records more than 460 bird types that have made it one of the leading places for birds' safaris in Africa. The town of Kasane has a wide array of lodges, hotels, campsites, and private houses offering an amazing stay in the middle of fascinating natural views and pleasant surroundings.

There won't be any fences around your camp and you will find animals roaming within the region but this makes the experience even more memorable for every visitor coming to Chobe National Park. Chobe NP Reviews (from 15 acclaimed safari experts) Visited: April and October Elephant central Your experience of Chobe will depend on which part of the park you visit. The waterfront area in the north, which is within a day trip of Victoria Falls, offers game viewing for the masses, with boats cruising up and down the Chobe River from many large lodges along the bank, and a busy network of roads. The game can be prolific – I have never see more elephants anywhere, and listening at night to more than 2,000 buffalo rumbling past our campsite remains one of my most awe-inspiring safari moments. But peak season crowds can be comparable to those of the Kruger and Masai Mara. The park’s hinterland, however, is a true wilderness – and those who can make it to Ngwezumba Pan and other scattered pans among the dense mopane woodland may find themselves alone. The sandy terrain makes for arduous travel – and the Maun to Kasane drive across the park is notorious for vehicle strandings.

However, it is worth the effort for a visit to Savuti, an area in the southwest that is famed for its large lion prides and, during the rains, its impressive zebra migration. Game here can be seriously in-your-face and camping is not for those of nervous dispositions. With the resurgence of the mysterious Savute Channel, which has recently started to flow again after decades dry, this may once again become one of Africa’s hottest safari locations. Birdlife is excellent throughout Chobe, especially along the waterfront, and you have a fair chance of sable, wild dog and cheetah.... more Link to this review 27 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Paul Murray GB Paul is a travel writer, author of the Bradt guidebook to Zimbabwe and is closely involved in promoting tourism to Zimbabwe. 14 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: June Wall to Wall Animals Chobe is justifiably rated as one of the premier game viewing parks in Africa. Although the rhino have been relocated to safer areas, everything else is here in abundance making it an ideal destination for the first time safari goer.

I can’t list everything here but the herds of elephant and giraffe are exceptional and on my last drive into the park we were treated to lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog all in the space of about 30 minutes. My favourite wildlife experience of all time was finding ourselves between two fine male lions about 50 metres apart who promptly set up a phenomenally loud roaring ‘contest’ for about 5 minutes. Hairs on the back of my neck as I write this! Everything comes at a price though. This superb game viewing means it gets very busy and you’ll often find six or more vehicles jostling for the best position around a very bored looking lion. The big lodges and touring groups all have their set routines so pick an independent operator who’ll find you the lion when the other guests have all returned for their breakfasts. Try to fit in Savuti Marshes too. For decades the marshes dried up completely but since 2009 they’ve flooded again bringing in hosts of new game and birds.... more Link to this review 14 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Yes | No Expert By Tim Bewer US Tim is a travel writer who has covered 10 African countries for Lonely Planet's Africa, East Africa and West Africa guidebooks. 11 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: July Huge concentrations of large animals, all easily spotted along the Chobe River Its location near the incomparable and unmissable Victoria Falls (about an hour away) has made Chobe one of the busiest and most famous parks in Southern Africa, but it’s the abundant wildlife and ease of seeing it (in both the rainy and dry seasons) that makes it one of the best. Except for rhino, you have a good chance of encountering all of Africa’s most-sought-after species, and the elephant density is amongst the highest in Africa. It’s also a good place to see some of the less common but most beautiful antelope such as sable and eland. Most visitors hit the Serondela area, near the town of Kasane, where the typical trip combines a beautiful boat ride on the park’s namesake river and a game drive. This isn’t the first park where I’ve done a boat safari, but it was by far the best, with the highlight being the baby elephants swimming.

You can even choose to sleep on a houseboat. I bush camped which is one way to beat the Serondela crowds since there won’t be many other vehicles around during the late afternoon and early morning portions of your game drives. Another way to escape the masses is to visit the Savuti and Linyanti Marsh areas, which have water sources in the dry season and host many predators.... more Link to this review 11 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Emma Gregg GB Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent. 7 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: Multiple times Crowds of elephants and zebras, a short hop from Victoria Falls I consider Chobe one of the very best safari destinations, not just in Botswana, but in the entire continent. Whatever the season, a game drive or a leisurely boat trip in this large and fascinatingly diverse park count among Africa’s classic safari experiences. Chobe is fantastic for elephants.

Estimates of the size of the population vary – some hedge their bets by saying it’s over 50,000, while others suggest it’s over 120,000. I’ve often seen huge herds, up to 400 strong, in the mopane woodlands and lush swamps beside the Linyanti River and Chobe River, which marks the park’s northern boundary. Inevitably, there’s also much evidence of their destructiveness in well-trampled pathways and mangled trees. Lions are also plentiful, particularly near the waterholes, some of which have pumps to keep them replenished. Thanks to unusually high rainfall in recent years, the region around the Savuti Channel in the west has become a superb place to see birds, buffalo, leopards and streams of zebras. The marshlands of the Linyanti region in the northwest are even soggier; after the summer rains, rare antelopes such as red lechwe and sitatunga can be seen here. Link to this review 7 people found this review helpful. Did you?

Yes | No Expert By Lizzie Williams ZA Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. 7 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: Multiple times Exceptionally good game-viewing on the lush Chobe riverfront Chobe is divided into several distinctly different eco-systems where safari options vary. My experience of Chobe is a day or overnight safari to the lush plains and dense forests along the Chobe River in the northeast, and is a safari operators’ favourite that’s often teamed with a visit to Victoria Falls just over the border. The normal drill is a morning game drive, followed by lunch at a riverside lodge and an afternoon river cruise. Game drives are always rewarding; giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, numerous antelope, and accompanying predators include lion, hyena and wild dog. But the highlight for me is the cruise; a gentle float to observe Chobe’s always-busy riverfront as the animals drink, and is rightfully best known for seeing impressively large herds of elephant.

A popular short safari, but the other regions (definitely Savuti) beckon to experience Chobe well-off the beaten track. Link to this review 7 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Mark Eveleigh GB Mark is a travel writer who grew up in Africa and has written over 80 titles for CNN Traveller, Travel Africa, Africa Geographic and more. 6 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: February Spectacular landscapes, wonderful wildlife sightings and the 'gnarliest' elephants in Africa We had been almost a month on a self-drive safari in Botswana and had had stunning wildlife sightings. The country had - once again - surpassed all expectations but we had one last aim. To see wild dogs would be the icing on the cake and we hoped that Chobe would deliver. Chobe is certainly one of the best elephant territories you will ever find - in fact the area suffers fairly heavily from vegetation damage caused by the great herds. Perhaps because of dense population the elephants can be more aggressive than elsewhere. The two Defenders in our convoy were seriously charged on two occasions (nerve-wracking but painless and without damage) and had half a dozen mock-attacks.

In our last hour in the park we were following guide Bart Vanderpitte in the lead vehicle when suddenly he started shouting over the radio: "Dogs! Dogs! Dogs!" We watched a pack of about 8 wild dogs close in and kill an impala buck. Take my word for it: Chobe delivers! Link to this review 6 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Alan Murphy AU Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi. 5 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: June The Chobe Riverfront The Chobe riverfront is the premium wildlife-watching area of Chobe National Park and is accessible from the north of the country. It defines the border with Namibia and is only a short drive from Zambia. You won't be the only tourists in here but the loop roads off the main gravel track, along the riverfront, will get you away from the tour groups. It was the first park I visited in Africa after an absence.

As I headed down to the river, a European roller bolted across the front of the car and a herd of impala grazed peacefully by the roadside, not long after I saw giraffe, zebra, plenty more antelope and a lone male lion. The highlight though was the elephant herds - they're huge and the best way to see them is to go down the river by boat. Guides will pull into shore when they see a herd drinking or bathing and you stop only metres away, close enough to touch...almost. It's a truly awe-inspiring and slightly terrifying experience. Link to this review 5 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Brian Jackman GB Brian is an award winning travel writer, author of safari books and regular contributor to magazines such as BBC Wildlife and Travel Africa. 5 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: Multiple times Kingdom of the Elephants If you want to see elephants Chobe is the place. Stretching south from the Chobe River all the way down to the Moremi Game Reserve, this huge park is home to the biggest elephant herds on the planet.

In all, some 120,000 elephants find refuge here together with large herds of buffalo and all the big cats. In the wet season the elephants disperse across the park’s wooded hinterland. But as the dry season takes hold they congregate in unbelievable numbers along the Chobe River, emerging from the bush to drink and bathe towards sundown. Although this is the busiest corner of the park it is well worth visiting, but I much prefer the area around Savuti, where Chobe blends seamlessly with the Linyanti Swamps. Savuti Marsh, an immense sea of grass encircled by distant walls of camelthorn acacias, attract tsessebe, zebra and other plains game, making this a happy hunting ground for cheetahs and lions, while the nearby hills hold the promise of leopards. An additional dry season spectacle is Pump Pan, a natural theatre-in-the-round where water from a borehole guarantees daily visits by elephant bulls and thirsty flocks of doves and sandgrouse. It is also renowned as the home of a lion pride whose members have become notorious for preying on the young elephants that accompany the breeding herds when they come in to drink at night....

more Link to this review 5 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Melissa Shales GB Melissa is an award winning travel writer for Fodors, Frommers and Insight, including guides to Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa. 5 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: Multiple times Chobe – home of ebony and ivory Chobe effectively covered the whole north-eastern corner of Botswana – a huge 11,700 sq km (4,517 sq miles), tucking into the borders with Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia. It has four very distinct areas but the vast majority of visitors do what I did, go in the dry season, when the animals cluster along the edge of the easily accessible Chobe River and huge herds of elephants browse the avenues on the edge of town. It makes gameviewing very easy and accessible, ideal for the first-timer. More importantly, for Botswana, because you are within easy reach of the larger hotels of Kasane, it also brings it down in price to a more affordable level.

Gameviewing trips come in all shapes and sizes here, but my favourites were definitely the boat trips on the river, where you can not only see the elephants and lechwe (the trademark game species) but many of the staggering 460 species of bird found here. Elsewhere, the Ngwezumba pans are clay pans surrounded by mopane woodland that fill with water only during the rains). Further along, the upper reaches of the Chobe (here called the Linyanti) form the border with Namibia, spreading out across the desert to create marshlands that mirror the greater Okavango. Sitatunga and red lechwe bound through the shallows avoiding the snapping jaws of crocodiles, while the dry land is dominated by forests of giant jackalberry, sausage trees and ebony. The final area, Savuti, surrounds a distinct 100 km channel which sometimes runs dry and sometimes deep and true – the wildlife varies dramatically dependent on whether the water is there or not. Link to this review 5 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Anthony Ham AU Anthony is a photographer and writer for travel magazines and Lonely Planet, including the guides to Kenya and Botswana & Namibia.

4 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: June-July Chobe: Elephant Kingdoms Chobe is one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife with high concentrations year-round, but especially so from April to October when the animals gravitate towards the riverfront and other water sources. Chobe is home to tens of thousands of elephants with some of the densest concentrations on the continent. The most accessible (and hence most crowded) area is Chobe Riverfront, with vast elephant herds, as well as lion, leopard and buffalo frequently sighted close to the water’s edge. A river safari is especially good for birdwatching. The Linyanti Marshes is more remote, with classic delta-like scenery and good wildlife possibilities close to the shoreline – Linyanti is one of the last redoubts of the African wild dog, but elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo are all possible. Savuti is more remote but boasts a stunning combination of open plains, riverine woodland (the Savuti Channel is again flowing) and large rock monoliths that are known leopard haunts.

Gobabis Hill, one of these monoliths, has San rock paintings and an ancient baobab, and it was here that I spent a morning alone with a pride of seven lions before the other vehicles arrived.... more Link to this review 4 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Gemma Pitcher AU Gemma is a travel writer and author of several Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. 3 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: May Elephant snorkellers Chobe lies at the confluence of four of Africa’s most popular wildlife destinations – Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. As such it’s a very popular park and can get crowded in high season. But what it lacks in wilderness vibe, it makes up in sheer density of game, particularly elephants (here in huge numbers from June to December), which are highly habituated to humans and entirely unbothered by the safari vehicles and boats that surround them. The focus of the park is the Chobe river, and a sunset or sunrise boat ride is a must.

Boats, being quieter than cars, drift tantalizingly close to the wildlife on the banks, and the lower angle of a boat makes for amazing pictures. Game consists of a fantastic variety of wading birds (I’m not a bird expert, but those who are rave about Chobe’s 450 species), aquatic antelope (red lechwe are abundant here) and, of course, elephants. My boat driver and I convulsed with laughter as a herd of juvenile bulls dueled on the riverbank with some cheeky baboons, who retaliated to mock charges with a volley of dung-throwing. If you’re lucky (I was), a ele or two will take to the water near your boat, their heads streaming water and gleaming blackly in the sun as, trunks raised like snorkels, they make their way from one side of the river to the other. Link to this review 3 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By James Bainbridge GB James is a travel writer and author of many Lonely Planet guides, including senior author of the guide to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.

2 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: September Green plains covered with wildlife For even the oldest safari hands, arriving at the Chobe riverfront is a 'wow' moment. Herds of elephant cross the placid waters, giraffes munch riverside trees and, stretching out towards the horizon and the Namibian border, zebras, warthogs and antelopes scatter the flood plains. Making the scene supremely photogenic, a mokoro (dugout canoe) edges along as the sun sets and the river turns to liquid gold. This sight instantly refreshed my bloodshot eyes at the end of a long, bumpy drive through the Botswanan bush. After the Serengeti, Chobe is perhaps the best place in Africa for seeing wildlife in an open savanna setting. It also has an incredible 70,000 elephants, one of Africa's most concentrated populations; sadly, there was talk of culling when I visited. I certainly had some of my most memorable elephant sightings here, from up-close encounters to views of herds kicking up dust on the plains. The Chobe riverfront has the highest concentration of animals; there seemed to be a lion or leopard dozing under every other bush.

However, its accessibility and proximity to Kasane mean it gets busy, so it's worth exploring quieter, 4WD-only areas of the park.... more Link to this review 2 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Christopher Clark GB Christopher is a British travel writer and has contributed to various Fodor's guidebooks and a range of travel magazines. 2 people found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: September and November 2014 Land of the giants Close to the Zimbabwean, Zambian and Namibian borders and an easy day trip away from the unmissable Victoria Falls, Chobe is Botswana’s flagship park and not without good cause. The wide and life-giving Chobe River, punctuated by a number of lush green islands, draws incredible numbers of hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, waterbuck and a plethora of interesting bird species including the iconic African fish eagle and rare African skimmer. But the biggest attraction here is undoubtedly the unparalleled elephant population. I’ve witnessed single herds at least 200 strong and these beautiful giants can often be seen swimming across the river.

A sunset boat cruise is a special way to enjoy Chobe’s elephants and its natural beauty, but for great pics and less boat traffic I prefer to be out on the river in the morning. Game driving through the park can be a busy affair but the game is well worth it. Lion, leopard and wild dog are abundant. I saw my first successful lion hunt here: 3 lioness tracking and then erupting into a herd of buffalo close to the river’s edge. The herd scattered in a cloud of dust but one youngster wasn’t so lucky, despite her mother’s courageous efforts to chase the lions away. This was a truly unforgettable moment.... more Link to this review 2 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Stephen Cunliffe ZA Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa. 1 person found this review helpful Overall Rating Visited: Multiple times Place of Elephants This park is best known for its incredible concentrations of elephants and their densities – especially along the Chobe River during the late dry season – defy belief.

Safari goers are treated to a superb show as these grey behemoths drink, play, swim and frolic in the river in their thousands. This entertaining spectacle is best appreciated from the water and I strongly recommend taking a boat cruise along the Chobe River while you’re there. In addition to the park’s main elephantine attraction, it’s also a great place for birding and the park is home to the full array of predators. Lion prides in Chobe have adapted their hunting techniques to target the most abundant potential prey species and I have seen them stalking, hunting and feeding on both buffalo and elephants! This can be harsh to watch, but it’s a great privilege to witness Africa at her most primordial. If I must single out one dislike, it would be that parts of Chobe have become very commercial and quite crowded. But, so long as you steer clear of a couple of visitor bottlenecks, a very rewarding safari experience awaits you in Chobe.... more Link to this review 1 person found this review helpful. Did you? Yes | No Expert By Sue Watt GB Sue is a travel writer, co-author of Footprint's guidebook to Tanzania and regular contributor to Travel Africa magazine.

Overall Rating Visited: February Chobe’s charms and challenges I’ve only been to Chobe once and my visit was limited to one night (the result of a very hectic itinerary) in the busiest area of the park near the Chobe River. It’s easily accessible from Vic Falls and has plenty of wildlife (particularly huge herds of elephants), so much so that you simply don’t know where to look next – but this also means that it has plenty of tourists. Boat trips are by far the best way to experience this part of the park, but the river too is busy at certain times, particularly for sunset cruises. High on my wish list are the Savuti and Linyanti areas, real wilderness regions away from the crowds. That’s not to detract from the beauty of the popular river area – but just be aware that there’s little bush solitude here… I would highly recommend staying for longer and exploring Chobe to its full potential. Chobe Chilwero | Chobe National Park | Audley Travel Our rating: Deluxe Chobe Chilwero is located on the border of the Chobe National Park, just five minutes by road to Kasane and 1½ hours from Livingstone and Victoria Falls.

The lodge offers nine double and six twin luxury air-conditioned cottages, all of which are individually designed to blend in perfectly with the topography and natural vegetation of the surrounding area. Each thatched cottage has its own en-suite bathroom with a large bathtub, indoor and outdoor showers, private garden with a bench and hammock, some come with a "tsala" or private balcony and others with a small patio. Chilwero has deep red walls and there is a mixed African and Aztec-style decor theme throughout the entire lodge. The main public area includes an elegant lounge and dining room, which are linked to outdoor viewing decks. There are some distant views across the flood plains surrounding the Chobe River. There is a covered veranda linking the open sided dining and lounge areas with beautiful carvings in the wooden support pillars. This area leads down to beautifully kept lawns, stretching to the electric wire that is in place to stop vast amounts of elephant activity in the dry winter months. The well-stocked wine cellar is temperature controlled and houses a large variety of South African and European wines. The lodge also has a luxurious spa with private treatment rooms, hydro baths, vichy showers and jacuzzis to ensure a wonderfully relaxing experience for guests.

Treatments can be pre-booked so please ask your specialist about this. There is also a swimming pool, library, curio shop and an e-communications centre that allows guests to access e-mail and the internet. Activities from Chobe Chilwero include game drives in customized open 4WD game viewing vehicles. Sundowner Cruises are particularly spectacular for sunsets on the Chobe River, and fishing excursions are also available. Speak to someone who's been there Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Botswana specialists on 01993 838 530 Chobe National Park Chobe National Park Chobe National Park Trips The most visited of Botswana’s big game territories, Chobe National Park lies on the river of the same name. Its sapphire blue waters snake through the park to the ‘four corners’ – the name given to where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia meet. The river provides a water source and daily bath for a diverse array of wildlife and the area is home to about every species of African mammal you can think of. But it is particularly famous for elephants; lots of elephants.

Established in 1968, just a few years after Botswana became independent, Chobe National Park sweeps over some 12,000 square kms of floodplains, swamps and woodland. The river demarks its northern boundary, a magnet for elephants and buffaloes in the rain-less winter months. The riverfront is one of the four distinct areas in the park, along with the Ngwezumba pans and Linyanti and Savuté Marshes. When the marshes contain water, the birdlife is breathtaking, whilst the Ngwezumba pans is the least visited area of the park – providing untouched wilderness and an unparalleled connection with nature. February marks the start of the wet season when the river floods and small islands appear in the marshes – beacons for animals in search of fresher grazing. Whilst Chobe can be seen all year round from a 4x4, this is the best time to take a river cruise, where you can view crocodiles, hippos and dozens of fantastically colourful bird species in a unique way.

The Ngwezumba pans also attract plenty of wildlife in the wet season, whilst the Savuté Marshes are best known for lions, cheetahs and hyenas. Game viewing can be fantastic in the Linyanti in the dry winter months and hunting permits can be sought here. Bird watching all over the Chobe is superb with ibis, geese, kingfishers, storks and eagles regularly filling the skies. The main base camp at Chobe is Kasane, an interesting raggletaggle township that has a good range of facilities and where man and beast meet. There are no fences marking the boundaries of the park, so animals regularly wander on in. In fact you may see your first elephant by check-in. Trips visiting Chobe National Park

Question: In which country would you find Chobe National Wildlife Park?
Answer: BOTSWANA